Sounding the alarm on racial discrimination terminated my professional journey - Luther Burrell

Important note: This piece contains details of racially offensive comments and behaviour

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his career to an premature conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

"I have absolutely had to retire because of what happened," he told media outlets.

"I hoped to carry on competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word came out that there were inquiries going on.

"That was challenging - I had to simply accept the outcome and understand that this entire situation is a lot more important than me."

A rugby governing body investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather sufficient proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.

"I have had several distressing experiences within England camp," he stated.

"Some discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."

Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's experience.

"It's something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the issue that I've myself experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"Over a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the professional level and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."

"We has given considerable attention on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.

"We are continuing work with teams and partners in the professional game to work for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

Every Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face education on building inclusive environments, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and surveys.

All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from harmful conduct.

"You be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

"We know it has had this impact on you and finished your playing days, but in our eyes, you have achieved so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's father Geoff died shortly after the production of the documentary, and his sibling passed away recently.

Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in his hometown, continues his work to make the game more open.

His 12 Foundation works to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed both on the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.

"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is prepared to tell their story then I'll continue to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will feel about discussing their own stories as well.

"I take the bull by the opportunity and continue bearing this banner and continue carrying this responsibility and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that rugby has the potential to transform their futures, just as it did for me."